Richard Hatch, known for winning the inaugural season of Survivor, participated in the reality show The Apprentice, hosted by Donald Trump, several years after his Survivor victory. During the 2011 season of The Apprentice, featuring celebrity contestants, Hatch observed Trump’s behavior and work style closely. He has since provided a damning assessment of Trump, labeling him as 'likely the worst person' he has ever encountered. Hatch articulated his criticisms on The Caftan Chronicles' Substack platform, calling Trump 'grotesquely manipulative' and asserting that he craves attention while exploiting people around him. He emphasized this disdain by stating, 'He is really awful,' summarizing his overall impression of Trump's character derived from his experiences during the reality competition show. The Apprentice played a significant role in elevating Trump’s public profile across the United States, providing him with ample media exposure. Former NBC marketing director John D. Miller posited that the show greatly facilitated Trump’s political ascent to the presidency, implying that Hatch's critical reflection on Trump contributes to understanding the controversial figure beyond the entertainment industry, emphasizing the impacts reality television can have on real-world politics.